Modern Recognition & Reward Strategies
To increase the likelihood of more people volunteering or improving the lot of those who are currently volunteering, it is critical that organisations ensure they are always rewarded and recognised for their contributions. Remembering that those who choose not to volunteer do so but at a $ cost. (See Section 2 "Recruitment" as it provides the reader with the processes and strategies required to increase the number of volunteers). Reward may be in the form of free or reduced memberships, a shirt or clothing or gifts ranging in value according to the level of contribution the volunteer has made to the organisation. The process required to ensure your strategies encourage volunteer participation are as follows:
Recognition may be an item of clothing that recognises their contributions, honour boards/life memberships, special mention in the newsletters or websites, reduction in fees/expenses, gifts at the end of year celebrations. To reduce the possibility of criticism for awarding volunteers with gifts of a perceived value it is important to be open about how you came to decide on that reward (according to required criteria) open communication, honesty, fairness and equity. As with any selections, you can’t please all the people all the time, however, applying a planned and transparent process, as discussed above, will minimise your critics.
More Information
Go back to the Recognition and Reward tab above to access more information in the Manual, handy templates and documents for you to adapt for your club to ensure your success.
To increase the likelihood of more people volunteering or improving the lot of those who are currently volunteering, it is critical that organisations ensure they are always rewarded and recognised for their contributions. Remembering that those who choose not to volunteer do so but at a $ cost. (See Section 2 "Recruitment" as it provides the reader with the processes and strategies required to increase the number of volunteers). Reward may be in the form of free or reduced memberships, a shirt or clothing or gifts ranging in value according to the level of contribution the volunteer has made to the organisation. The process required to ensure your strategies encourage volunteer participation are as follows:
- Identify the various roles in the organisation
- Categorise them according to the level of contribution
- Establish criteria that must be met to receive certain levels of recognition
- Establish criteria that must be met to receive any special recognition awards
- Promote the various recognition and rewards programs and awards to all
- Present recognition items to the recipients in an appropriate manner
Recognition may be an item of clothing that recognises their contributions, honour boards/life memberships, special mention in the newsletters or websites, reduction in fees/expenses, gifts at the end of year celebrations. To reduce the possibility of criticism for awarding volunteers with gifts of a perceived value it is important to be open about how you came to decide on that reward (according to required criteria) open communication, honesty, fairness and equity. As with any selections, you can’t please all the people all the time, however, applying a planned and transparent process, as discussed above, will minimise your critics.
More Information
Go back to the Recognition and Reward tab above to access more information in the Manual, handy templates and documents for you to adapt for your club to ensure your success.